CCV: Parking Meets Charging - Why the Future Is Connected

Parking facility operators, municipalities and charging infrastructure providers are facing a shared challenge. The mobility transition is changing both user expectations and infrastructure requirements. To stay competitive, parking and charging must be considered as part of one smart, seamless experience.

This article explores how parking and e-mobility are increasingly merging, what this means for operators, and how modern payment solutions from CCV can play a key role in enabling this shift.

Why the Integration of Parking and Charging Is Essential

Electric vehicles are no longer a niche. For many drivers, charging while parking is simply expected.

This creates a clear opportunity for operators of parking garages, underground facilities or municipal spaces. By offering charging points, they increase the attractiveness of their location and open up new revenue streams.

At the same time, users expect a smooth overall experience. Find a parking spot, charge the vehicle, pay contactlessly. Ideally all in one place, with minimal steps.

Technology Meets Convenience: How Smart Charging Integration Works

The integration of parking and charging infrastructure is becoming more automated. Parking systems can detect incoming vehicles, check the availability of charging points and guide users directly to them via app or parking guidance displays.

Some systems even allow users to reserve a charging spot in advance, with integrated payment options. This helps avoid frustration and improves occupancy rates for both parking and charging.

In larger parking facilities, kiosk or app-based solutions can offer additional flexibility. Instead of placing a terminal at every individual station, users can choose their charging point from a central location. CCV terminals support these scenarios with scalable setups that fit a wide range of environments.

Modern protocols like OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) handle communication between hardware and backend systems. In parallel, OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface) plays an important role in enabling roaming and interoperability between networks. These standards help operators gain more flexibility and ensure systems can grow with future demands.

AFIR Requirements – Important, but Not Always Critical

The EU's AFIR regulation introduces mandatory card payment support at public charging points. For new fast charging stations, this becomes a legal requirement from mid-2024. The UK already enforces similar rules.

However, in typical parking scenarios where vehicles remain for longer periods, AC charging is often more suitable than fast DC charging. While AFIR is relevant for compliance, it may be less pressing for many parking setups focused on standard charging speeds.

Still, the core requirement remains. Drivers must be able to pay directly at the charging point with debit or credit cards, without relying on a specific app or contract. Integrating EMV-certified payment terminals, like those from CCV, helps operators meet this need and welcome spontaneous users such as tourists or fleet customers.

Simple, Reliable, User-Friendly Payment Systems

One of the biggest success factors in the field is ease of use. CCV focuses on reducing complexity through intuitive interfaces and robust hardware. Whether installed at individual stations or centrally located kiosks, the solutions are designed to be clear, fast and dependable.

Terminals support both offline and online transactions, and integrate seamlessly with apps, backend systems and charging platforms. Remote maintenance and regular updates keep systems secure and compliant.

Looking Ahead: Smart Charging, V2G & Autonomous Systems

The connection between parking and charging infrastructure is still evolving. Looking to the future, additional features are gaining relevance.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows vehicles to feed electricity back into the grid while parked. Autonomous charging through robotics could make the process entirely hands-free. Wireless charging can reduce hardware demands and increase convenience.

Operators who start planning now will be better positioned to adopt these innovations, especially with a strong backend and payment infrastructure already in place.

CCV: The Payment Platform for Parking & Charging

Whether for parking tickets, charging points or combined solutions, CCV provides modular payment systems that integrate smoothly into existing infrastructure. They are legally compliant, ready for the future and fully EMV-certified.

• Terminal solutions for AC and DC charging
• Offline and online transaction capability
• Integration with apps, backends and CPMS platforms
• Hardware support, remote servicing and updates
• Support with AFIR compliance and central configurations

CCV systems are open, scalable and perfectly suited for parking garages, charging providers and municipal operators.

Conclusion

Parking and charging are increasingly converging. Those who act strategically today gain clear advantages in utilization, revenue and customer satisfaction.

With the right technology and a trusted payment partner like CCV, operators can offer a smooth and integrated experience for e-mobility. Now is the right time to shape the infrastructure of tomorrow.

About CCV

CCV is an international payment solutions provider that services over 600,000 businesses with end-to-end payment solutions in Europe. Our extensive portfolio includes a processing and settlement platform, online and closed-loop payments, acquiring services, and a wide range of in-store and unattended payment terminals. CCV’s focused partnership strategy, as well as direct SME offerings, enabled us to take leading positions in all home markets: the Netherlands (HQ), Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. Our success is based on innovation and a long-term customer-focused commitment via partnerships and SME businesses.